Effect of municipal solid waste compost on seed germination of rice, wheat and cucumber

Water extracts of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) were applied to seed of three crops v - v rice ( Oryza sativa, L.), wheat ( Triticum aestivum, L.) and cucumber ( Cucumis sativa, L.). Severe suppression of germination index (GI), root length (RL) and shoot length (SL) were observed with the seeds treated with 1 v : v 7.5 MSWC v : v water extracts. A significant positive relationship was observed between the above mentioned parameters and organic carbon, nitrogen and optical density. A significant negative relationship between the above parameters and the contents of ammonia and heavy metals was also found. When comparing the three different seeds, wheat was most sensitive, followed by rice and then cucumber in terms of germination index, germination (%), root and shoot growth.